Former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on Thursday declared that he felt “perfectly safe” during his visit to Nigeria, pushing back against negative security reports and global concerns over rising violence in the country.
Johnson, who delivered the keynote address at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, said he was not deterred by warnings about Nigeria’s security situation before embarking on the trip.
“When I decided to come to Owerri, I read some things, and there were people saying, ‘There may be some security problems in Nigeria.’ Have you heard that?” he asked the audience as quoted by The PUNCH. “And I said, ‘Well, I am going to go anyway.’”
Turning to the gathering, he added: “Let me ask you: do you feel safe here today in this conference? Yes, we all feel safe. And I feel perfectly safe. Thank you, Governor, for what you are doing.”
Johnson’s remarks come as Nigeria struggles with renewed waves of abductions, banditry and communal attacks.
Last month, gunmen kidnapped more than 300 students and teachers in Niger State, while other mass abductions were recorded across the north.
The situation has drawn international criticism, including a recent warning from U.S. President, Donald Trump, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect vulnerable groups, particularly Christian communities.
The former British leader praised Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for his ambition to deliver 24-hour electricity to the state, describing the plan as both visionary and achievable with the support of emerging technologies.
“Your focus on electricity is completely right,” Johnson said. “What is the future? The future is AI. For clean, sustainable electricity— and because of AI — it’s going to be colossal.”
He added, “I congratulate you for what you are doing to secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and for the whole of Nigeria.”
Johnson used his speech to highlight historic and cultural ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, applauding what he described as a mutually beneficial exchange of talent and economic assets.
“I am very proud of what we export to Nigeria — pharmaceuticals, bankers, services of all kinds,” he said. “And you send us so much in return — oil and gas, Nollywood movies, brilliant doctors, nurses, technicians, and tech geniuses from Nigeria. We are very, very grateful.”
In a lighter moment, he quipped: “We send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us future United Kingdom prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch.”
The summit drew an impressive lineup of global and national dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu; former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; businessman Aliko Dangote; Finance Minister Wale Edun; and several state governors.
Governor Uzodimma, who hosted the event, said Johnson’s visit underscored growing international confidence in the state’s economic direction.
Johnson’s message of confidence stands in sharp contrast to the country’s ongoing challenges. Nigeria has been grappling with a fresh surge in violence — from mass kidnappings and rural attacks to tensions around religious persecution.
Still, the former UK leader insisted his experience in Imo State proved that perceptions of Nigeria are not always aligned with reality.
“I feel perfectly safe,” he repeated. “Nigeria has incredible potential, and what is happening here today shows a state determined to secure its future.”
